This Town Needs Guns

[Julia Conny]

Stuart Smith
Top Records of 2008
I find it impossible to rate music, so I won't order the list. Here are some records that I have really enjoyed this year.

Birthmark - The Layer
Make Believe - Goin' to the Bone Church
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Rolo Tomassi - Hysterics
I Was a Cub Scout - I Want You to Know There is Always Hope
Maps and Atlases - You and Me and the Mountain (EP)
Dartz - The Sad History of Alnerique
Algernon Cadwalader - Some Kind of Cadwalader
Jonquil - Whistle Low (EP)
Blakfish - See You in Another City
Mimas - The Worries
Shield Your Eyes - S/T
Russian Circles - Station

Top Films
I've been real lame this year and haven't seen anywhere near enough new films. These are the only ones I saw and enjoyed.

The Dark Knight
Burn After Reading
Iron Man
Quantum of Solace

...in fairness it has been a pretty poor year for film.

Bands to watch in 2009
Rolo Tomassi
Blakfish
Jonquil
Native
Colour
Mutiny on the Bounty
Shield Your Eyes

[hockeyguitar99]

Great Lists, Great Band.

[kevinrocks409]

Incredible list. Definitely love the shout outs to Algernon, Make Believe and Maps and Atlases. These guys are awesome though, their s/t and Animals were some of my favorites of 08.

[Undue Noise]

So glad Rolo Tomassi was picked. Great, overlooked album.

[mushroom]

If you play any instrument you'll realise how great this band is.

Edit: Fucking great call on dartz.

[songydarko]

Yesss maps and atlases!

[feelthepressure]

I think you are a little biased Stuart, half of your list are bands you've played with. Unless most of the CDs you bought during the year were at your shows. I really like Colour also, but doubt they would be a "band to watch" for at least another year until they start headlining their own shows with a healthy turnout.